Forever Trapped

Epilogue

"Happy anniversary."

I slowly opened my eyes. Hearing those words from my husband is the best way to start a beautiful morning.

"Happy anniversary," I whispered back as I kissed him.

"Daddy," the grumpy little girl sleeping in between us whispered. Seems like we disturbed someone's sleep.

"I'm sorry, baby." Malambing na sabi ko sa kaniya. It seems like Bree was already half-awake. Parang gusto kong ngumiti nang maalala kong naglambing siya kagabi at sinabing dito matutulog sa kwarto namin. Turns out she saw an advertisement for a horror movie before sleeping and the poor girl can't shrug the thought off her head.

"I'm okay lang, Mommy." she said pero imbes na ako ang lambingin ay kay Phoenix yumakap ang bata, which made my eyebrow raise slightly. Phoenix just showed me his annoying triumphant smile.

"I'll prepare the breakfast," Phoenix whispered in my ear pagkatapos bumangon. He didn't even let me protest so I just stayed in bed with our daughter for a few moments. Kailangan ko din kasing tulungan iyon. Five years have passed and both of us are still no good chefs. It would be fine if it's just the two of us but I would never ever let our daughter eat borderline inedible food.

"Mommy?" she said with her small voice.

"Hmm?"

"I love you," she said. Three words that I'll never get tired of hearing. No matter how many times I'd hear it from her.

I know I wasn't feeling complete pero naging okay din naman ako pagkatapos kong ma-aksidente noon. We were able to figure things out, Phoenix and I. But I know there's still something missing. It wasn't really that hard to figure out why we're feeling that way.

And it almost worked like a fairytale when we visited the orphanage that same year and saw Bree. When I held her for the first time, even if she's not from me, it felt like she belongs with me... with us. She would always give Phoenix and me this smile which made us fall in love with her harder and we adopted her, I didn't know it was possible but we even fell in love with her more.

My love, My Bree. 

"I love you too." sagot ko sa kaniya.  "Should we go downstairs na?" I asked her and she nodded enthusiastically. "Baka black pancakes na niluluto ng Daddy mo dun." I whispered just to myself that made Bree laugh. Napatawa na lang tuloy ako na narinig niya pala.

"Mommy! Daddy's not making black pancakes!" Bree looked so amazed and proud at some of the pancakes Phoenix was done cooking.

Agad naman akong tiningnan ng asawa ko, asking what the hell did I tell I daughter.

I just ignored that look on his face at kunwari ay tumingin din sa niluluto niya. "Wow, Daddy's a great cook na, baby!"

"Great cook na?" tanong pa nito sa akin.

"Just take the compliment, dear," I told him and kissed his cheeks. I would tell him he looks good wearing my strawberry apron pero baka mapikon. I'll just tease him more once I receive the gift I'm expecting to receive. I mean... pancake is nice and it seems like he's been practicing but I'm really expecting something more for this fifth year anniversary. 

Oh goodness, I sound so demanding already but Phoenix spoiled me these past years I can't almost help it.

We just spent the day like our past wedding anniversaries. Together, enjoying in the comfort of our home. I wanted Bree to forget the horror movie scene she saw last night kaya naman pinili naming tumingin ng family-friendly movie.

Unlike before, I was able to finish the movie. Probably because I was stealing glances at Phoenix na kalong-kalong ang anak namin.

Preparing for my own brand has kept me busy these past months and to be completely honest, there are a lot of times I get to go home early which also means I get to spend less time with my family. Minsan nakakalungkot but it also helps me value simple times like this.

Bree was already sleeping when the ending credits started to play. Nakasandal sa balikat ko ang ulo niya kaya hindi agad ako nakatayo. Phoenix stood and went somewhere for a moment without telling me anything.

"Happy Anniversary," he said and then gave me a box. I immediately thought it was jewelry because it was the same brand and box color as my engagement ring.

Dahan-dahan niyang nilipat ang ulo ni Bree so the kid could lie down properly on the couch. I started to open the box. "Thank you," I said after I saw a round necklace with  engraved flower on the front. It's so beautiful. Mukhang kuhang-kuha na ata ni Phoenix ang taste ko pati sa fashion.

"It's a locket?" I asked him when I noticed that it can actually be opened. I didn't saw or hear him answer but I smiled even wider when I saw the pictures inside. On the left side, there's a picture of Bree and me. Bree was only a year old in the picture and we were both smiling at each other, not really noticing the camera. On the right part is our family picture. "Thank you, Phoenix." I tried to control my voice even with the excitement and happiness building up inside me. "I love you," I told him.

"I love you too."

"Okay, my turn." Sabi ko sa kaniya. I also went to the bedroom to grab something I've been hiding for days now. "Happy Anniversary," I told him, half-crying and half-laughing. Mukha na siguro akong baliw habang binibigay sa kaniya ang box na regalo ko din.

"Is this... Is this for real?"

I nodded. Feeling proud and happy and excited about the gift given to our family. "I can't believe it also but. Doesn't feel like it yet but I went to the doctor and she confirmed Bree's younger sibling is on the way."